Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion on Friday thanked the government for heeding the private sector’s appeal to downgrade the National Capital Region to Alert Level 3 and allow the reopening of various industries.
“I’m glad that the IATF has brought it down to Level 3, and what is good is that our recommendations to include spas, cinemas and other business establishments have now been included,” Concepcion said at Go Negosyo’s Let’s Go Bakuna Town Hall meeting.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos reported in the same meeting that there will be additional incentives for areas with higher vaccination rates like the NCR. Abalos then recalled the private sector’s call for a stricter lockdown last August, which the Metro Manila mayors agreed to.
“I was surprised by the push from the private sector that time, but now we are over that, and we are seeing the reopening of the economy. We are looking forward to the reopening of the economy because we have been through a lot,” Abalos said.
Concepcion also welcomed the increase in capacity for various businesses, especially in local government units (LGUs) that achieved 70 percent or higher vaccination rate for their constituents, as earlier suggested by the private sector.
“That will serve now as incentive for LGUs that were able to achieve 70 percent and higher that they have plus 20 percent on top of their current capacity,” Concepcion said.
In addition to the 30-percent capacity allowed under Level 3 and 20 percent for areas with 70 percent or higher vaccination rate, Concepcion said establishments can get an additional 10-percent capacity if they have the safety seal, giving them a total of 60-percent capacity.
“These are good news. We are definitely looking towards a great fourth quarter,” said Concepcion, thanking their partners in government for understanding the plight of entrepreneurs.
“It is very challenging, especially at this time when you’ve been locked down so many times. Your cash flow is depleted, and your bank loans have been extended or restructured,” Concepcion said, adding employers also have to pay the 13th month pay of their workers.
Earlier, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David declared that the current downward trend of Covid-19 cases could pave way for Alert Level 2 in the National Capital Region. The country’s capital is close to vaccinating 80 percent of its target population in the coming weeks
“I think because of our vaccination rate there is a good chance that we can start really opening up our businesses more freely,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States H.E. Jose Manuel Romualdez added.
Concepcion has been spearheading the private sector’s push for the government to expand capacity for dine-in restaurants and personal care services for the fully vaccinated and to reopen other industries.
The Town Hall was attended by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano, Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Dr. Alethea De Guzman of the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Bernadett Velasco of One Hospital Command Center and OCTA Research fellows Prof. Ranjit Rye and Dr. Guido David.
Several Metro Manila mayors, including Quezon City’s Joy Belmonte, Francis Zamora of San Juan and Toby Tiangco of Navotas also attended and provided updates on their respective Covid-19 actions and vaccination programs.
Read full article on BusinessMirror